Mentoring

Getting support and guidance through mentoring

The quality of support you receive during your period as a Foundation Doctor, Core Trainee or Specialist Trainee is vital to enable you to get the best out of your future career.

To foster this, Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education has set up a confidential mentoring programme for Doctors in training as an independent source of support outside of the assessment process.

This is what some of the mentees had to say:

“My mentor provided a welcome independent ear to discuss things with, and to provide me with personal support. She also helped me with my decision to change to a different training programme and with proof-reading my application for this. I have found the mentoring a very positive experience”.

"I feel the mentoring has had a significant positive impact on my career progression - I have recently secured a post that was very competitive. Without my mentors advice and encouragement I am unsure if I would have even committed to making an application, let alone getting the job".

Mentoring is a process where a mentor meets a mentee on a regular or occasional basis to help the mentee in their personal and professional development.

Research has shown that mentoring has many benefits for mentees:

Improved self-confidence and self esteem

Increased motivation

Broadened horizons and experience

Raised achievements and aspirations

Improved performance

Increased job satisfaction

Networking opportunities

Establish a balance between life and work

Self Directed Learning

Increased career mobility and career opportunities

Opportunity to give and receive feedback

Ability to get assistance with ideas

Opportunity to demonstrate strengths and explore potential

Develop visibility within or outside an organisation

Challenged to use talents and share expertise

Most mentors are Consultants or Senior Specialty Trainees who give their time voluntarily because they have a genuine desire to help. They are likely to work in a different specialty to you, and you may decide to travel to another locality to see them.

The choice of mentor will be yours, and you will set the agenda.

The programme is open to all Doctors in training working with Peninsula Postgraduate Medical Education.

For information on how to apply for a mentor go to the how to apply section